In response to Europe’s worst terrorist attack in eleven years, French warplanes struck deep in the heart of ISIS-controlled territory on Sunday.
The attacks on 13-14 November in Paris are the worst in French history and thus far have left 129 people dead, with more than 350 injured. One of the attackers is in custody and another suspect is still at large. ISIS has claimed responsibility, and allegedly the one suspect captured has identified himself as a member of the terrorist organization.
French President François Hollande declared the ISIS operation an “act of war,” and vows that the French response “will be merciless toward the barbarians of Islamic State group.”
Photo courtesy of AP/Getty Images
According to a statement released by the Ministère de la Défense, twenty munitions were employed against targets in Raqqa, Syria–the capital of the Islamic State. The United States has shared intelligence with the French and helped coordinate the attacks, but it’s unknown at this time what, if any, U.S. assets took part in the strikes.
Among the locations struck by the Armée de l’air were an ISIS command and control center, recruiting center, training camp, and ammunition depot. Reportedly, ten French fighters–both Mirage 2000s and Rafales–were the aircraft conducting the operations, having launched from two different bases in the Middle East.
We’ll bring you more on this story as it develops, so be sure to stayed tuned to FighterSweep for undoubtedly more French airstrikes against ISIS targets in the days and weeks ahead.
(Featured photo courtesy of AP/Getty)